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In December 2018, a consortium consisting of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Dialogic, and various independent experts was selected by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission to carry out a pilot project in the field of essentiality checks of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs).
More and more everyday devices rely on technical standards, such as many wireless standards. Many of these standards involve patented technology, and any party wishing to implement a standard must apply for a license for the associated SEPs. Although over 250,000 patents have been declared by their owners to potentially be essential for one or more technical standards, it is often very challenging for stakeholders to determine which patents are actually required. This pilot study explores ways to analyze the essence of SEPs on a larger scale, thereby creating more transparency in the market and enabling a smoother process for negotiating licenses for such patents. The outcome of the project is important for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large companies.
Want to learn more? Contact Rudi Bekkers.